DEARBORN 

An  address  delivered  before  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society 


SB 
105 
D28 


ADDRESS 

-DELIVERED    BEFORE   THE 

MASSACHUSETTS  HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY, 

01*    THE 

CELEBRATION   OF  THEIR  FIRST  \\NN1VERSARY, 

SEPTEMBER  19,  1829. 


BY  H.  A.  S.  DEARBORN. 


Man  hath  hit  daily  work  of  body,  or  mind 

Appointed,  which  declares  his  dignity, 

And  the  regard  of  heav'n  on  all  his  ways.— MILTOP 


BOSTON, 

FROM    THE    PRESS    OF    ISAAC    R.   BUTTS. 


MDCCCXX1X. 


ADDRESS 

DELIVERED    BEFORE   THE 

MASSACHUSETTS  HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY, 

ON   THE 

CELEBRATION  OF  THEIR  FIRST  ANNIVERSARY, 

SEPTEMBER  19,  1829. 


BY  H.  A.  S.  DEARBORN. 


Man  hath  his  daily  work  of  body,  or  mind 

Appointed,  which  declares  his  dignity, 

And  the  regard  of  heav'n  on  nil  hia  ways. — MILTON. 


BOSTON, 

FROM    THE    PRESS    OP    ISAAC    R.    BUTTS. 


MDCCCXX1X. 


t 


BAflTA  BARBARA 


Gentlemen  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society, — 

THE  history  of  Horticulture  is  co-extensive  with  that  of  the 
human  race.  The  first  movement  towards  civilization  is  evin- 
ced, in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil ;  and  a  garden  is  the  incipient 
type  of  extended  agriculture,  and  of  flourishing  empires  ;  the 
wild  and  erratic  pursuits  of  the  savage,  are  exchanged  for  the 
local  and  quiet  avocations  of  the  husbandman  ;  the  arts  and  sci- 
ences are  gradually  developed,  and  rendered  subservient  to  the 
wants  of  society  :  but  in  the  progress  of  intelligence  and  refine- 
ment, those  which  were  earliest  called  into  existence,  although 
expanded  and  rendered  universal,  to  meet  the  demands  of  an  in- 
creased, and  condensed  population,  are  the  last  which  are  per- 
fectly matured.  All  the  others  must,  previously,  have  approxi- 
mated towards  perfection.  It  is  then,  that  the  grand  results  of 
their  united  application  are  manifested,  in  the  variety,  number, 
utility,  and  beauty  of  the  products  of  rural  industry  ;  and  that 
the  conveniencies,  comforts,  and  enjoyments  of  life  are  fully  real- 
ized, by  the  triumphant  labors  of  the  accomplished  horticul- 
turist. 

The  imperious  demands  of  man  are  food,  raiment,  and  shelter. 
These  are  furnished  by  the  harvests,  herds,  and  flocks  of  agricul- 
ture, and  the  toils  of  the  mechanic.  As  riches  are  multiplied, 


and  ambition  excited,  they  are  rendered  conspicuous  in  the  splen- 
dor of  apparel,  the  magnificence  of  mansions,  and  the  sumptu- 
ousness  of  furniture.  The  embellishments  of  letters,  and  the 
discoveries  of  science  gradually  claim  attention,  and  operating, 
alternately,  as  cause  and  eifect,  accelerate  the  progress  of  nations, 
in  the  career  of  prosperity,  power  and  glory  ; — legislation,  juris- 
prudence, and  statistics,  become  subjects  of  profound  study,  and 
the  deepest  interest ; — the  honorable  profession  of  arms,  in  the 
field  and  on  the  ocean,  obtains  precedence  among  the  active,  and 
aspiring,  over  the  less  alluring  and  unostentatious  vocations  of 
civil  life ;  while  music,  poetry,  eloquence,  painting,  sculpture 
and  architecture  have  their  votaries,  and  competitors,  for  the 
prize  of  distinction  and  immortality  ;  but  it  is  not  until  after  all 
these  various  objects  of  immediate  interest,  or  of  contingent  and 
associated  importance,  have  been  zealously  pursued  and  success- 
fully attained,  that  horticulture  unfolds  her  endearing  attributes 
and  exalted  beauties.  She  forms  the  wreath  which  crowns  the 
monument  of  an  empire's  greatness,  and  takes  rank  among  the 
number,  and  becomes  the  most  distinguished  of  the  fine  arts. 

The  mighty  kingdoms  of  antiquity  were  conspicuous  for  their 
martial  achievements,  wealth,  and  extended  domination, — for  the 
intellectual  attainments  of  their  inhabitants,  and  most  of  the  em- 
bellishments which  gave  them  lustre,  and  renown,  in  the  imposing 
march  towards  national  grandeur,  before  the  genius  of  horticul- 
ture was  successfully  invoked.  Egypt,  the  cradle  of  civilization, 
so  far  perfected  her  tillage,  that  the  fertile  banks  of  the  Nile 
were  adorned  by  a  succession  of  luxuriant  plantations,  from  the 
cataract  of  Syenna  to  the  marine  shores  of  the  Delta ; — but  it 
was  after  Thebes,  with  its  hundred  brazen  gates,  had  been  erect- 
ed, and  while  the  regal  cities  of  Memphis,  Heliopolis  and  Ten- 
tyra,  were  rising  in  magnificence,  and  the  stupendous  temples, 
pyramids  and  obelisks  of  her  mythology  became  the  wonders  of 
the  world. 

The  olive  crowned  hills,  extended  vales,  and  teeming  plains  of 
Palestine,  have  ever  been  celebrated  for  the  beautiful  gardens 


which  varied  and  enriched  the  landscape, — indicating  the  effect 
of  that  long  ancestral  residence  of  the  Israelites  within,  and  their 
juxta  position  to  the  realm  of  the  Pharaohs ; — but  it  was  not 
until  the  embattled  walls,  and  holy  temple  of  Jerusalem,  an- 
nounced the  resources,  and  advancement,  and  the  prophets  had 
rebuked  the  extravagance  and  luxurious  pleasures  of  that  eternal 
race.  The  queen  of  the  East  "  had  heard  of  the  fame  of  Solo- 
mon," and  went  to  do  him  homage, — his  commercial  fleets  of 
Ezion-Geber  and  Tharshish,  brought  him  the  gold  of  Ophir, 
the  silver,  ivory,  spices  and  precious  stones  of  Africa  and  Asia, — 
the  kings  of  Tyre  and  Arabia  were  his  tributaries,  and  princes 
his  merchants,  ere  he  "  made  orchards,"  "  delighted  to  dwell  in 
gardens,"  or  planted  the  "  vineyard  of  Baalhamon." 

The  Assyrians  had  peopled  the  borders  of  the  Tigris  and 
Euphrates  from  the  Persian  Gulf  to  the  mountainous  regions  of 
Ararat,  and  their  victorious  princes  had  founded  Nineveh  and 
Babylon,  before  we  hear  of  the  expensive  gardens  of  Semiramis. 
The  Persian  empire  had  extended  from  the  Indus  to  the  Ar- 
chipelago, when  the  Paradise  of  Sardis  excited  the  astonishment 
of  the  Spartan  General,  and  Cyrus  mustered  the  Grecian  auxil- 
iaries in  the  garden  of  Celsense. 

The  Greeks  had  repulsed  the  formidable  invasions  of  Darius 
and  Xerxes,  and  Athens  had  reached  the  culminating  point  of 
her  exaltation,  when  the  accomplished  and  gallant  Cimon  estab- 
lished the  Academus  and  presented  it  to  his  fellow-citizens,  as  a 
public  garden.  Numerous  others  were  soon  planted  and  deco- 
rated with  temples,  porticos,  altars,  statues  and  triumphal  monu- 
ments ; — but  this  was  during  the  polished  age  of  Pericles ; — 
when  Socrates  and  Plato  taught  their  sublime  philosophy,  in  the 
sacred  groves  ; — when  the  theatres  were  thronged  to  listen  to  the 
enrapturing  poetry  of  Euripides  and  Aristophanes  ; — when  the 
genius  of  Phidias  was  displayed  in  the  construction  of  the  in- 
comparable Parthenon,  and  sculpturing  the  statues  of  the  gods  ; — 
when  eloquence  and  painting  had  reached  perfection,  and  history 
was  taught  by  Herodotus,  Thucydides,  and  Xenophon. 


Imperial  Rome  had  subjugated  the  world,  and  emulated 
Greece  in  literature,  science  arid  the  arts,  when  the  superb  villas 
of  Sallust,  Crassus,  Pompey,  Caesar,  Mecaenas,  and  Agrippina 
were  established,  and  the  palaces  of  the  Emperors  were  environed 
by  magnificent  gardens. 

The  history  of  modern  nations  presents  similar  results.  Hor- 
ticulture had  lingered  in  the  rear  of  other  pursuits,  until  the  com- 
mencement of  the  eighteenth  century,  when  it  began  to  claim  the 
attention  of  some  of  the  most  illustrious  characters  of  England  ; 
but  the  origin,  establishment,  and  extension  of  the  present  im- 
proved style  of  gardening  are  of  recent  date.  "  Bacon  was  the 
prophet,  Milton  the  herald,  and  Addison,  Pope,  and  Kent  the 
champions  of  true  taste."  The  principles,  which  were  developed 
in  their  writings,  and  those  of  Shenstone,  the  Masons,  and 
Wheatly,  and  their  successful  application  in  the  examples  pro- 
duced by  the  taste  and  genius  of  Bridgeman,  Wright,  Brown, 
and  Eames,  soon  rendered  the  system  popular,  and  gradually  ex- 
tending over  Europe,  it  ultimately  reached  this  country.  Still, 
gardening,  in  the  broadest  signification  of  the  term,  did  not  re- 
ceive that  distinguished  and  universal  consideration,  which  it 
merits,  until  the  establishment  of  the  London  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, which  constitutes  an  era  in  the  annals  of  Great  Britain,  of 
momentous  import.  It  has  given  an  impetus  to  cultivation,  which 
is  felt  in  the  remotest  regions  of  the  globe.  The  noble  example 
has  been  followed  in  the  most  flourishing  kingdoms  of  the  East- 
ern continent,  and  many  similar  institutions  have  been  founded 
in  the  United  States.  An  interest  has  thus  been  excited,  and  a 
spirit  of  inquiry  awakened,  which  cannot  fail  of  producing  highly 
important  results.  The  auspices  are  favorable,  and  the  period  is 
not  distant  when  these  associations  will  become  the  foci  for  con- 
centrating, and  from  whence  will  be  disseminated,  the  horticul- 
tural intelligence  and  products  of  every  clime. 

Notwithstanding  gardening  preceded,  it  was  ultimately  sur- 
passed, by  agriculture,  for  a  long  succession  of  ages,  still,  when 
prosecuted  with  the  lights  of  experience,  the  instructions  of  ma- 


tured  theory,  and  the  advantages  of  various  and  multiplied  ex- 
amples, horticulture  becomes  the  successful  rival  of  her  younger, 
yet  more  favored  sister,  and  finally  usurps  her  entire  domain ;  for, 
"that  field  is  best  cultivated,  which  assumes  the  appearance  of 
a  wide  extended  garden."  It  was  this  learned  and  skilful  til- 
lage, which,  in  ancient  times,  maintained  the  dense  population, 
that  crowded  the  classic  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  the  fertile 
islands  of  Crete,  Cyprus  and  Rhodes,  the  emeralds  which  spangle 
the  ^Egean  sea,  and  realized  in  Sicily  the  Hesperides  of  fabu- 
lous poetry  ; — and  which,  in  our  age,  is  so  conspicuous  in  China, 
Holland,  portions  of  France,  Germany,  Italy  and  Switzerland, 
and  has  rendered  the  rural  economy  of  England,  the  model  of 
all  countries. 

When  nations  first  emerge  from  a  state  of  barbarism,  the  de- 
mands for  food  and  clothing  offer  the  most  powerful  inducements 
for  agricultural  industry,  and  the  coarsest  products  satisfy  the 
general  consumption  ;  but  as  manufactures  and  commerce  begin 
to  divide  the  labors  of  an  increasing  and  more  intelligent 
population,  and  the  accumulated  wealth  of  successful  enterprise 
creates  a  more  refined  taste,  and  furnishes  the  means  of  gratifi- 
cation, the  industrious  cultivator  of  the  soil  is  encouraged  to  in- 
crease the  variety,  quantity,  delicacy  and  value  of  his  legumes, 
esculent  vegetables,  fruits  and  flowers,  until  his  rude  fields  are 
converted  into  gardens.  It  is  then  that  horticulture  assumes  a 
station  which  commands,  not  only  individual  interest,  but  govern- 
mental consideration,  as  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of 
national  industry,  and  is  deemed  worthy  of  the  patronage  of  the 
state.  Such  is  its  present  elevated  character,  and  while  the 
sovereigns,  princes,  and  nobles  of  Europe  are  proud  to  enroll 
their  names  among  the  members  of  those  institutions,  which 
have  been  founded  for  the  rational  and  patriotic  purposes  of  mu- 
tual instruction,  and  the  diffusion  of  information  on  all  the 
branches  of  rural  economy,  we  must  profit  by  the  experience  of 
other  nations,  and  emulate  the  honorable  examples  they  have  pre- 
sented, for  perfecting  the  tillage  of  our  native  land. 


8 

The  Co-operation  of  individuals,  by  the  means  of  variously  or- 
ganized societies,  for  the  accomplishment  of  objects  of  public 
utility,  and  general,  local  or  private  interest,  is  a  discovery  of  the 
moderns,  and  has  been  one  of  the  most  efficient  means  of  ac- 
celerating the  progress,  and  enlarging  the  bounds  of  knowledge. 
They  have  explored  the  vast  Herculaneum  of  antiquity  for  those 
treasures  of  intellect,  which  once  gave  lustre  to  empires,  and 
traced  the  history  of  the  inventions,  discoveries  and  improve- 
ments of  all  ages ;  they  have  collected  the  facts  of  isolated  re- 
search and  the  valuable  results  of  private  experiment ;  they  have 
brought  to  light  the  labors  of  unobtrusive  genius,  rendered  local 
information  available  to  all,  and  concentrated  the  scattered  intel- 
ligence of  nations,  in  every  department  of  science  and  art. 
With  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  wonderful  art  of  printing,  they 
are  substitutes  for,  or  have  superseded  that  long  cherished  de- 
sideratum, a  universal  language  ;  for  whatever  is  valuable,  merits 
attention,  or  is  worthy  of  adoption,  in  the  writings  of  the  an- 
cients, or  the  publications  of  existing  nations,  is  speedily  accli- 
mated and  rendered  as  familiar,  as  if  it  were  of  indigenous 
growth.  There  is  still  another  glorious  advantage  in  these  insti- 
tutions, most  honorable  to  the  human  race  ; — in  war  as  well  as  in 
peace  their  names  become  the  paroles  of  intercourse  between  the 
republics  of  letters,  of  science  and  of  arts,  round  the  globe. 

Having  witnessed  the  happy  effects  of  associations,  for  the 
promotion  of  literature,  natural  history,  physics,  agriculture,  the 
mechanic,  economical  and  fine  arts,  we  may  confidently  antici- 
pate, that  the  same  salutary  influence  will  be  experienced,  in  the 
operations  of  horticulture,  by  the  harmonious  labors  of  those 
numerous  societies,  which  have  been  founded  for  its  encourage- 
ment. 

The  literature,  history,  science,  art  and  practice  of  gardening, 
open  a  wide  field  for  study,  and  inquiry,  and  present  exhaustless 
sources  of  pleasure,  instruction  and  wealth.  Blessed  is  the  man 
who  participates  in  these  enjoyments.  They  are  not  too  humble 
for  the  most  exalted,  or  beyond  the  reach  of  honest  and  retiring 


9 

industry.  It  is  a  banquet  of  reason,  at  which  wisdom  and  health 
preside,  and  where  the  amphictyons  of  genius  and  taste  revel,  in 
the  unsatiating  luxuries  of  nature  and  intellect. 

The  holy  scriptures  teach  us,  that  the  Almighty  sanctioned 
the  peerless  beauties  and  refined  pleasures  of  a  garden,  by  plant- 
ing that  of  Eden,  and  consecrating  it  as  a  terrestrial  paradise, 
for  the  progenitors  of  the  human  race.  The  Elysian  Fields 
were  the  heaven  of  heathen  mythology,  and  to  each  part  of  their 
prototypes,  on  earth,  was  assigned  a  tutelary  divinity.  The 
promised  rewards,  of  the  Mahomedan  religion,  are  the  perennial 
felicities  of  celestial  gardens. 

The  bards,  scholars,  and  philosophers  of  the  classic  ages, 
have  transmitted  descriptions  of  the  picturesque  plantations  of 
the  ancients,  from  those  in  which  Homer  places  the  regal  palace 
of  Alcinous  and  the  rustic  dwelling  of  Laertes,  to  the  magnificent 
villas  of  Pliny  and  Lucullus. 

By  numerous  works  of  imagination  and  instruction, — which 
have  rendered  their  authors  illustrious,  and  established  epochs  in 
the  grand  cycle  of  events,  since  the  revival  of  letters, — we  are  en- 
abled to  ascertain  the  actual  state  of  cultivation,  to  perceive  the 
relative  estimation  in  which  it  has  been  held,  and  to  appreciate 
the  beneficial  consequences  of  progressive  ameliorations,  from 
the  first  humble  efforts  of  the  anchorites  of  St.  Basil  and  St.  Bene- 
dict, to  the  splendid  developments  of  individual  enterprise  and 
public  patronage,  which  characterize  the  period  in  which  we 
live. 

The  scientific  relations  of  Horticulture  are  numerous,  and  re- 
quire an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  various  branches  of 
Natural  History  and  Physics.  Botany,  Mineralogy,  Hydraulics, 
Chemistry,  Architecture  and  Mechanics  are  called  upon  to  fur- 
nish their  several  contributions ;  and  it  is  the  special  province  of 
the  artist,  to  render  them  subservient  to  his  practical  operations, 
by  a  judicious  application  of  each  to  its  appropriate  purpose. 

In  this  pursuit,  as  in  all  others,  practice  has  been  too  long 
estranged  from  scientific  theory.     Each  has  had  its  professors 
2 


10 

a.nd  disciples,  but  without  any  reciprocation  of  benefits,  or 
scarcely  the  recognition  of  affinity.  Science  was  cultivated  as 
an  abstract  mental  embellishment,  rather  than  to  facilitate  the 
labors  of  the  artist,  while  the  arts  have  been  practised,  unaided 
by  the  instructions  of  science.  The  latter  was  deemed  too  ethe- 
rial  and  sacred,  to  pass  even  beyond  the  seclusions  of  philosophy, 
save  in  a  language  which  was  unintelligible  to  the  multitude ; 
and  the  uninitiated  operator  accomplished  his  work,  ignorant 
that  he  was  successfully  performing  an  experiment,  which 
depended  on  established  theoretical  principles,  as  the  scientific 
was  incapable,  of  illustrating  the  correctness  of  his  theory,  by 
actual  experiment.  There  was  an  ostentatious  display  of  intelli- 
gence without  practical  utility,  while  the  useful,  unaided  by 
intelligence,  was  but  imperfectly  practised.  But  more  compre- 
hensive and  liberal  views  are  now  entertained,  and  it  is  the 
enlightened  policy  of  modern  instruction,  to  effect  a  re-union  of 
science  and  art,  of  theory  and  practice.  We  behold  philosophy 
directing  the  labors  of  the  work-shop,  and  practical  mechanics 
giving  instruction  in  the  halls  of  science.  The  happy  conse- 
quences of  this  moral  revolution  ;  its  exhilarating  influence  on 
all  the  economical,  as  well  as  the  ornamental  arts,  are  apparent, 
in  the  unparalleled  prosperity  of  those  nations,  which  have  taken 
the  lead  in  the  development  of  mind,  the  encouragement  of 
industry,  and  the  prudential  management  of  their  natural  re- 
sources. 

Chemistry  has  taught  the  manufacturer,  the  mode  of  ascertain- 
ing the  causes,  which  so  often  disappointed  his  hopes  of  success- 
ful results, — has  enabled  him  to  rectify  mistakes,  without  the  loss 
of  materials, — to  discover  new  resources,  perfect  his  manipula- 
tions, improve  the  quality  of  his  products,  and  open  other  avenues 
to  wealth. 

The  mechanic  is  guided  by  a  knowledge  of  physics  ; — the 
illustrations  of  science  have  enabled  the  machinist  to  triumph 
over  the  inertia  of  matter,  and  to  give  it  such  an  infinitely  varied 
combination  of  movements,  that  they  appear  the  effects  of 


11 

vitality  and  intelligence.  Who  can  behold  the  mysterious  move- 
ments of  the  steam  engine,  without  being  forcibly  impressed  with 
the  idea,  that  it  acts  like  a  thing  of  life, — that  it  is  some  huge 
monster, — a  subdued  Polyphemus,  who,  breathing  vapor,  and 
smoke,  and  fire,  labors,  in  agony  and  wrath,  obedient  to  the  will 
of  man.  Located  in  the  gorges  of  the  mountains,  it  drains  sub- 
terranean rivers,  from  the  profound  caverns  of  the  miner ;  and 
affixed  to  the  fleets  of  commerce  and  of  war,  they  are  driven 
triumphantly  through  adverse  tides  and  storms,  like  roused 
leviathans. 

The  unnatural  alienation  of  the  sciences  and  arts,  which  so 
long  retarded  every  other  branch  of  national  industry,  had  the 
same  deleterious  effect  on  tillage,  which  was  also  doomed  to  en- 
counter other  difficulties,  equally,  if  not  more  discouraging.  It 
was  too  generally  considered  as  a  degrading  occupation,  and  was 
scarcely  ranked  among  the  pursuits  of  the  learned,  and  affluent, 
until  Lord  Bacon  and  the  erudite  Evelyn  deemed  it  worthy  of 
attention,  and  gave  it  the  sanction  of  their  illustrious  names. 

The  first  English  treatise  on  rural  economy  was  Fitzherbert's 
"  Book  of  Husbandry,"  which  was  published  in  1 634.  Tusser's 
"  Five  Hundred  Points  of  Husbandry "  appeared  about  thirty 
years  after,  and  was  followed  by  Barnaby  Googe's  "  Whole  Art 
of  Husbandry,"  and  "  The  Jewel  Houses  "  of  Sir  Hugh  Platt. 
Early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  the  celebrated  treatise  of  Jethro 
Tull  excited  much  attention,  and  several  new  works  of  consider- 
able consequence  were  announced  before  1764,  when  the  valu- 
able publications  of  Arthur  Young,  Marshel,  and  of  numerous 
other  authors,  spread  a  knowledge  of  cultivation,  and  cherished 
a  taste  for  rural  improvements  throughout  Great  Britain,  which 
has  rendered  that  kingdom  as  distinguished  for  its  tillage,  as  for 
its  advancement  in  manufactures  and  commercial  enterprise. 
Agriculture  has  covered  her  barren  heaths  with  luxuriant  crops, 
converted  her  pools  and  morasses  into  verdant  meadows,  and 
clothed  her  bleak  mountains  with  groves  of  forest  trees, — while 
horticulture  is  rapidly  extending  her  beneficent  and  gladsome 


12 

influence,  from  the  palace  to  the  cottage,  and  adorning  the  pre- 
cincts, or  overspreading'  the  entire  regions  of  her  adventurous 
precursor. 

After  the  immortal  Linnaeus  published  his  "  System  of  Nature," 
Botany  became  a  popular  science,  and  its  numerous  votaries  pro- 
duced a  variety  of  interesting  elementary  works,  which,  with 
those  of  Miller,  Wheatly,  Abercrombie,  Repton,  Price,  Mad- 
dock,  Panty,  Sang,  Loudon,  and  Knight, — the  British  Columella, 
— rapidly  diffused  intelligence  among  all  classes  of  society.  A 
passion  for  experiment  and  ornamental  planting  was  thus  induced, 
which  give  sufficient  promise,  that  what  had  been  figuratively 
expressed,  might  be,  ultimately,  realized,  and  the  whole  island 
become,  in  truth,  a  "  Garden." 

Architecture  claims  a  conspicuous  rank  among  the  arts  which 
are  subservient  to  rural  economy ;  but  in  the  United  States  it 
cannot  be  expected,  that  individuals  should  indulge,  that  natural 
propensity  of  man,  for  magnificent  edifices ;  still  their  establish- 
ments may  assume  the  beauties  of  a  refined  taste,  and  be  made 
to  harmonize  more  perfectly  with  the  purposes  of  their  appropri- 
ation, and  the  scenery  in  which  they  are  embowered,  without 
enhancing  the  cost  of  construction.  The  error  has  not  been 
merely  that  of  negligence  in  the  plan,  indifference  as  to  location, 
and  a  disregard  of  all  the  characteristics  of  the  various  orders  of 
architecture  ;  but  in  the  heedless  selection  of  materials,  an  osten- 
tatious extravagance  in  the  size,  and  a  wasteful  exuberance  of 
fancied  embellishments. 

There  being  no  law  of  primogeniture  in  the  American  Repub- 
lics, estates  are  continually  subdivided,  until  each  portion  is  so 
reduced,  as  not  to  exceed  the  means  of  general  occupancy  : 
whatever  sums,  therefore,  are  lavished  on  a  country  residence, 
beyond  the  conveniences  and  comforts  usually  required  by  the 
great  mass  of  the  freeholders,  are  lost  to  the  heirs,  and  often  prove 
ruinous  to  the  aspiring  projector. 

We  admire  what  has  been  done  in  other  countries,  and  pos- 
sessing means  ample  as  the  actual  proprietor  of  the  stately  edi- 


13 

fice,  rashly  imitate  the  pleasing  example,  without  reflecting-,  that 
what  we  behold,  has  been  the  work  of  successive  heirs,  during  the 
lapse  of  ages,  and  will  descend  with  increasing  grandeur  to  count- 
less generations. 

If  stone  be  substituted  for  wood,  utility  and  neatness,  for  ex- 
tent and  fantastic  ornaments,  and  less  be  expended  on  the  struc- 
tures and  more  in  improving  the  grounds,  each  farm  would  be 
rendered  intrinsically  more  valuable,  and  the  whole  country  would 
assume  that  flourishing,  picturesque,  and  delightful  aspect,  which 
so  emphatically  bespeaks  the  prosperity,  intelligence,  and  happi- 
ness of  a  people. 

The  natural  divisions  of  Horticulture  are  the  Kitchen  Garden, 
Seminary,  Nursery,  Fruit  Trees  and  Vines,  Flowers  and  Green 
Houses,  the  Botanical  and  Medical  garden,  and  Landscape,  or 
Picturesque  Gardening. 

Each  of  these  departments  require  to  be  separately  considered 
and  thoroughly  understood,  in  all  its  ramifications,  before  it  can 
be  ably  managed,  or  all  so  happily  arranged,  as  to  combine  utility 
and  comfort,  with  ornament  and  recreation.  To  accomplish  this, 
on  a  large  scale,  and  in  the  best  manner,  artists  and  scientific 
professors  are  employed  in  Europe,  and  are  much  required  in 
this  country.  Hitherto  their  services  have  been  generally  sup- 
plied by  the  owners  of  the  soil,  who,  as  amateurs,  have  devised 
and  executed  plans  of  improvement,  which  do  honor  to  their 
taste  and  skill,  and  encourage  the  hope,  that  these  laudable  ex- 
amples of  successful  cultivation,  will  have  a  salutary  influence 
throughout  the  Union. 

The  Kitchen  Garden  is  an  indispensable  appendage  to  every 
rural  establishment,  from  the  stately  mansion  of  the  wealthy,  to 
the  log -hut,  of  the  adventurous  pioneer,  on  the  borders  of  the 
wilderness.  In  its  rudest  and  most  simple  form,  it  is  the  nucleus, 
and  miniature  sample  of  all  others,  having  small  compartments 
of  the  products  of  each,  which  are  gradually  extended,  until  the 
whole  estate  combines  those  infinitely  various  characteristics,  and 
assumes  that  imposing  aspect,  which  constitutes  what  is  graphi- 
cally called  the  picturesque. 


14 

The  details  of  each  grand  division  of  Horticulture,  cannot 
be  embraced  within  the  range  of  such  general  remarks,  as  pro- 
priety seems  to  prescribe  for  an  occasion  like  the  present.  They 
are  to  be  sought  in  the  works  of  the  learned,  and  rendered 
familiar,  by  precedent  and  progressive  experiments.  The  field 
is  ample,  and  requires  an  untiring  perseverance,  to  gather  in  the 
rich  harvest  of  instruction,  and  render  it  practically  available. 
That  this  may  be  achieved  in  the  most  economical,  speedy, 
effectual  and  satisfactory  manner,  Horticultural  Associations  have 
been  deemed  indispensable.  They  excite  the  public  interest, 
foster  a  taste  for  the  useful  and  ornamental  branches  of  culture, 
and  stimulate  individual  exertion ;  by  the  distribution  of  enter- 
taining and  instructive  publications, — by  a  correspondence  be- 
tween the  officers  and  among  the  members  of  like  institutions, — 
by  the  establishment  of  libraries, — by  premiums  for  rare,  valu- 
able, beautiful,  early,  or  superior  products, — important  discover- 
ies, estimable  inventions,  excellence  of  tillage,  and  meritorious 
communications, — by  periodical  meetings,  for  the  interchange  of 
opinions  and  mutual  instruction, — by  public  exhibitions, — and  by 
collecting  and  disseminating  seeds,  plants,  models  of  implements, 
and  information  on  all  subjects,  connected  with  the  theory  and 
practice  of  gardening. 

Numerous  esculent  vegetables,  delicious  fruits,  superb  flowers, 
ornamental  shrubs  and  trees,  cereal,  vulnerary,  and  medicinal 
plants,  and  others  subservient  to  the  arts,  manufactures,  and  pub- 
lic economy,  both  exotic  and  indigenous,  are  either  unknown  to 
us,  or  but  partially  cultivated.  Several  varieties,  which  have  been 
obtained  from  the  equatorial  regions,  and  confined  to  the  shelter 
and  warmth  of  green  houses,  stoves  and  conservatories,  have 
been  found  to  bear  the  severities  of  a  boreal  winter,  even  when 
first  exposed,  or  have  been  gradually  acclimated  ;  and  many  are 
annually  detected  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  which  deserv- 
edly merit  naturalization  ;  and  still  what  numbers  are  "  born  to 
blush  unseen  and  waste  their  fragrance  on  the  desert  air." 

Most  of  our  common  fruits,  flowers  and  oleraceous  vegetables 


15 

were  collected  by  the  Greeks  and  Romans  from  Egypt,  Asia,  and 
other  distant  climes,  and  successively  extending  over  Western 
Europe,  finally  reached  this  country.  But  so  gradual  was  their 
progress,  "  it  was  not  till  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII,  that  any 
salads,  carrots,  turnips,  cabbages,  or  other  edible  roots  were  pro- 
duced in  England.  The  little  of  these  vegetables  that  was  used, 
was  imported  from  Holland."  Fuller  observes,  that  "  Gardening 
was  first  brought  into  England,  for  profit,  about  the  commence- 
ment of  the  seventeenth  century,  before  which  we  fetched  most 
of  our  cherries,  from  Holland,  apples  from  France,  and  hardly 
had  a  mess  of  rath-ripe  peas,  but  from  Holland,  which  were 
dainties  for  ladies,  they  came  so  far,  and  cost  so  dear." 

Peaches,  nectarines,  apricots,  plums,  pears,  cherries,  straw- 
berries, melons  and  grapes  were  luxuries,  but  little  enjoyed^be- 
fore  the  time  of  Charles  II,  who  introduced  French  gardening 
at  Hampton  Court,  Carlton,  and  Marlborough,  and  built  the  first 
hot  and  ice  houses. 

At  this  period  Evelyn,  the  great  apostle  of  planting,  translated 
"  The  complete  Gardener,"  and  a  treatise  on  orange  trees  by 
Quintinyne,  a  French  author  of  great  merit ;  and  having  devoted 
the  remainder  of  his  life  to  the  cultivation  of  his  rural  seat  at 
Sayes  Court,  near  Deptford,  and  in  the  publication  of  his  Sylva, 
Kalendarium  Hortense,  Terra,  Pomona  and  Acetaria,  he  "  first 
taught  gardening  to  speak  proper  English." 

The  Horticulture  of  France  had  hitherto  been  considerably  in 
advance  of  that  of  Great  Britain ;  it  was  soon,  however,  destined 
to  be  surpassed  by  her  powerful  rival,  in  the  contest  for  national 
grandeur  ;  but  these  kingdoms  are  again  approximating  towards 
an  equality,  in  the  progress  of  tillage. 

In  the  literature  and  science  of  gardening,  France  has  pro- 
duced numerous  authors  of  celebrity,  and  several  whose  works 
have  not  been  superseded  by  those  of  any  other  country.  The 
publications  of  Du  Hamel,  Thouin,  Buffon,  Gerardin,  D'Argen- 
ville,  Rosier,  Du  Petit  Thours,  and  the  two  Jussieus  are  agro- 
nomic text-books  of  the  highest  repute. 


16 

The  nursery  of  the  fathers  of  the  Chartreaux,  established  by 
Louis  XIV,  near  the  Luxembourg,  long  supplied  a  great  part 
of  Europe  with  fruit  trees.  The  Jardin  des  Plants,  in  Paris, 
"  includes  departments  which  may  be  considered  as  schools  for 
horticulture,  planting,  agriculture,  medical  botany  and  general 
economy ;  "  and  there  can  be  no  question,  says  Loudon,  of  its 
being  the  most  scientific  and  best  kept  in  Europe. 

The  flower  garden  of  Malmaison,  the  botanical  garden  of 
Trianon,  and  numerous  nursery,  herb,  medicinal,  experimental, 
and  botanic  gardens,  in  various  parts  of  the  kingdom,  are  pre- 
eminent for  the  variety,  number,  and  excellence  of  their  products, 
and  for  the  perfection  of  their  cultivation. 

Holland  has  been  distinguished,  since  the  period  of  the  Cru- 
sades, for  her  flower  gardens,  culinary  vegetables,  and  planta- 
tions of  fruit  trees.  The  north  of  Europe  and  this  country,  are 
still  dependent  upon  her  florists,  for  the  most  splendid  varieties 
of  the  bulbous  rooted  plants,  and  her  celebrated  nurseries, 
which  long  replenished  those  of  England,  have  been  recently  en- 
riched by  the  acquisitions  of  Van  Mons  and  Duquesne.  Several 
of  the  new  kinds  of  fruits  produced  by  those  indefatigable  expe- 
rimentalists, already  ornament  our  gardens,  and  with  the  excel- 
lent varieties  created  by  Knight,  promise  to  replace  those,  which 
have  either  become  extinct,  or  are  so  deteriorated  in  quality,  as 
to  discourage  their  farther  cultivation. 

This  method  of  hybridous  fructification  is  founded  on  Linnaeus' 
Sexual  System  of  Plants,  but  the  venerable  President,  of  the 
London  Horticultural  Society,  is  entitled  to  the  merit,  of  having 
first  practically  availed  of  a  suggestion,  which  emanated  from 
the  beautiful  theory  of  the  northern  Pliny.  On  the  African 
coast  of  the  Mediterranean,  a  custom,  based  on  the  same  princi- 
ples, has  prevailed,  from  the  earliest  ages,  in  the  cultivation  of 
the  Date — that  "  Tree  of  Life"  to  the  natives  of  those  sultry 
regions.  The  stamens  and  pistils  of  that  species  of  Palm  are 
produced  on  different  trees,  and  those  which  afford  the  former 
being  relatively  quite  low,  it  is  necessary  to  cut  off  the  blossoms 


17 

and  place  them,  by  means  of  ladders,  over  those  of  the  female 
trees,  which  are  very  lofty.  If  this  is  not  done  the  pollen  does 
not  reach  the  stigmas,  and  there  is  no  fruit.  This  practice, 
however,  does  not  derogate  from  the  honor  due  to  the  scientific 
Knight,  to  whom  we  are  unquestionably  indebted  for  that  valu- 
able discovery,  by  which  new  varieties  of  every  species  of  fruit 
and  flower  may  be  infinitely  multiplied. 

Having  been  so  long  dependent  upon  our  transatlantic  colabo- 
rators,  it  now  becomes  a  duty,  to  attempt  a  reciprocation  of  the 
numerous  benefits  we  have  received ;  and  by  emulating  their 
zeal,  intelligence,  and  experimental  industry,  we  must  develope 
the  resources  of  our  own  country,  which  offers  such  an  extensive, 
interesting,  and  prolific  field  of  research  to  the  adventurous 
naturalist.  Many  of  the  most  useful  and  magnificent  acquisi- 
tions of  the  groves,  fields,  gardens,  and  conservatories  of  Europe, 
are  natives  of  the  Western  hemisphere.  The  indigenous  forest- 
trees,  ornamental  shrubs,  flowers,  fruits,  and  edible  vegetables  of 
North  America  are  remarkable  for  their  variety,  size,  splendor, 
and  value.  Extending  from  the  Polar  regions  to  those  of  the 
tropics,  and  from  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  to  the  waves  of  the 
Pacific,  this  mighty  section  of  the  continent,  embraces  every 
clime  and  every  variety  of  soil,  teeming  with  innumerable  speci- 
mens of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  in  all  the  luxuriance  of  their 
primeval  and  unexplored  domains. 

Catesby,  Pursh,  Michaux,  Mulenburg,  Bigelow,  Nuttall,  Eliot, 
Torrey,  Golden,  Bartram,  Barton,  Hosack,  Mitchell,  Darlington, 
Ives,  Dewey,  Hitchcock,  and  Short,  have  rendered  themselves 
illustrious,  as  disciples  of  Botany,  by  traversing  our  immense 
forests,  mountains,  and  prairies,  and  exploring  the  borders  of  our 
mighty  rivers  and  lakes  in  quest  of  additions  to  the  Flora  of  the 
United  States. 

Peters,  Hosack,  Lowell,  Perkins,  McMahon,  Cox,  Dean, 
Thacher,  Adlum,  Powel,  and  Buel,  have,  by  precept  and  ex- 
ample, assiduously  fostered  a  taste  for  cultivation,  and  success- 
fully promoted  developments,  in  all  the  various  branches  of 
3 


18 

rural  economy.  As  pioneers  in  the  science  and  art  of  Agricul- 
ture or  gardening,  their  services  have  been  invaluable;  and 
while  most  of  them  still  live  to  behold  the  rapid  and  extensive 
progress  of  their  cherished  pursuits,  the  important  results  of 
their  experiments,  and  the  gladdening  influence  of  their  beneficent 
labors,  their  names  will  be  ever  held  in  grateful  remembrance,  as 
distinguished  benefactors  of  their  country. 

Enlightened  by  their  instructions,  and  roused  by  their  manly 
enthusiasm,  let  us  zealously  imitate  their  commendable  efforts, 
and  endeavor  to  render  our  institution,  as  beneficial,  in  its  prac- 
tical operations,  as  it  is  cheering,  in  theoretical  promise. 


FIRST 


ANNIVERSARY   FESTIVAL 


MASSACHUSETTS    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 


THE  first  Anniversary  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society 
was  held  on  Saturday  the  19th  Sept.  at  the  Exchange  Coffee  House, 
under  the  most  promising  auspices,  and  in  a  manner  truly  gratifying 
to  its  friends.  The  dining  hall  was  very  tastefully  ornamented  with 
festoons  of  flowers  suspended  from  the  chandeliers ;  and  the  tables 
were  loaded  with  orange  trees  in  fruit  and  flower ;  (from  Mr  LOW- 
ELL'S green  house  ;)  a  large  variety  of  Mexican  Georginas  of  uncom- 
mon si/e  and  beauty ;  (from  Mr  PRATT  and  others ;)  a  splendid  collection 
of  roses  and  other  choice  flowers ;  (from  Mr  ASPINWALL  of  Brookline  ;) 
a  fine  specimen  of  the  India  rubber  tree,  (from  Mr  BELKNAP  of  this 
city,)  interspersed  with  large  boquets  of  beautiful  flowers,  and 
numerous  baskets  of  grapes,  peaches,  pears,  melons,  apples,  &c,  &c. 
The  arrangement  of  the  decorations  was  made  by  Mrs  Z.  COOK,  Jr. 
and  Misses  DOWNER,  HAVEN,  TUTTLE,  and  COOK,  of  Dorchester, 
assisted  by  Mr  HAGGERSTON  of  Charlestown,  and  Messrs  SENIOR  and 
ADAMSON  of  Roxbury. 

The  address  before  the  Society  and  others,  was  delivered  in  the 
picture  gallery  of  the  Atheneum,  at  three  o'clock,  by  the  President, 
Gen.  DEARBORN.  He  gave  an  interesting  and  comprehensive  view 
of  the  origin  and  progress  of  Horticulture  ;  its  various  branches  ;  its 
effects  in  multiplying  and  enriching  the  fruits  of  the  earth;  and 
alluded  to  the  promoters  and  benefactors  of  the  art ;  to  the  formation 
and  beneficial  labors  of  Horticultural  Societies;  and  to  their  prospects 
of  increasing  usefulness. 

Among  the  fruits  presented  were  two  baskets  of  uncommonly  fine 
grapes  and  pears  from  WM.  DEAN  of  Salem ;  a  basket  of  superior 
peaches  and  grapes  from  S.  G.  PERKINS  of  Brookline.  Fine  fruits, 
(including  a  single  bunch  of  grapes  weighing  three  pounds,)  from  Mr 


20 

LOWELL  ;  a  basket  of  fine  sweet  water  grapes  and  peaches  from  Mr 
FOSDICK  of  Charlestown  ;  s«veral  baskets  of  white  Muscadine  grapes, 
intermixed  with  the  Bartlett  pear  and  Malaga  grape  from  Z.  COOK,  Jr. 
of  Dorchester ;  superior  black  grapes  from  E.  BREED  of  Charles- 
town  ;  fine  grapes,  peaches,  and  nectarines  from  Mrs  T.  H.  PERKINS 
of  Brookline ;  a  basket  of  beautiful  nectarines  from  E.  SHARP  of 
Dorchester;  a  basket  of  peaches  and  nectarines  from  JOHN 
BREED  of  Chelsea ;  a  basket  of  choice  apples  and  pears  from  J. 
PRINCE  of  Roxbury  ;  two  large  baskets,  comprising  six  varieties  of 
superior  melons  from  T.  BREWER  of  Roxbury ;  Bartlett  pears,  with 
peaches  and  nectarines  from  ENOCH  BARTLETT  of  Roxbury ;  a  basket 
of  beautiful  Semiana  plums  from  JOHN  DERBY  of  Salem  ;  a  basket  of 
Black  Hamburg  and  Black  Cape  grapes,  large  peaches,  and  100 
kinds  of  ornamental  plants  from  WINSHIP'S  Nursery  at  Brighton ; 
a  box  of  choice  apples  and  pears  fromGoRHAM  PARSONS  of  Brighton; 
a  box  of  fine  fruits  from  Rev.  G.  B.  PERRY  of  Bradford ;  several 
varieties  of  fine  pears,  currant  wine,  six  years  old,  and  raspberry 
wine,  from  S.  DOWNER  of  Dorchester  ;  a  basket  of  fine  large  French 
pears  from  JOHN  HEARD,  Jr.  of  Watertown  ;  three  baskets  of  Fulton 
pears,  and  a  fine  native  autumnal  apple  from  JOHN  ABBOTT  of  Bruns- 
wick, Me. ;  fine  bunches  of  Black  Hamburg  grapes  from  RICHARD 
SULLIVAN  of  Brookline ;  various  fruits  from  A.  D.  WILLIAMS  of 
Roxbury ;  a  basket  of  fine  Black  Hamburg  and  Black  Cape  grapes 
from  D.  HAGGERSTON'S  Charlestown  Vineyard ;  a  large  basket  of 
melons  from  H.  A.  BREED  of  Lynn ;  Isabella  and  other  grapes  from 
N.  SEAVER  of  Roxbury  ;  several  large  specimens  of  the  fruit  of  the 
egg  plant  from  N.  DAVENPORT  of  Milton ;  a  box  of  fine  Persian 
melons  from  C.  OAKLEY  of  New  York ;  a  basket  of  large  peaches 
from  J.  HASTINGS  of  Cambridge  ;  a  basket  of  rare  peaches  from  R. 
MANNING  of  Salem;  a  basket  of  the  new  Fulton  pear  from  T. 
GREENLEAF  of  Quincy ;  a  basket  of  various  fruits  from  General 
DEARBORN  of  Roxbury,  and  a  specimen  of  Isabella  wine,  three  years 
old,  from  WM.  PRINCE  of  Long  Island;  a  basket  of  Gushing  pears 
from  BENJ.  THOMAS,  of  Hingham,  a  delicious  fruit,  first  brought  into 
notice  by  the  exertions  of  the  Society. 

The  plants  were  furnished  by  Mr  LOWELL,  Mr  PRATT,  by  the 
Botanic  Garden  at  Cambridge,  by  Mr  ASPINWALL  of  Brookline,  Mr 
LEATHE  of  Cambridge,  Mr  LEMIST  of  Roxbury,  Mr  HAGGERSTON 
of  Charlestown,  Mr  PRINCE  of  Jamaica  Plains,  Mr  BREED  of  Lynn, 
Messrs  WINSHIPS  of  Brighton,  and  many  other  gentlemen  in  this 
vicinity.  Mr  PRATT'S  splendid  collection  of  Mexican  Georginas  was 
unrivalled.  The  show  of  fruits  and  flowers,  generally,  was  probably 
never  surpassed  in  New  England.  It  would  be  unpleasant  to  make 
any  invidious  comparisons  where  all  exhibited  such  satisfactory  speci- 
mens ;  but  in  the  opinion  of  many,  the  grapes  of  Mr  COOK  and  Mr 
FOSDICK,  raised  in  the  open  air,  and  the  green  house  grapes  of 
Messrs  DEAN,  PERKINS,  and  SULLIVAN,  deserved  particular  com- 
mendation. 

A  large  box  of  very  fine  peaches,  nectarines  and  pears,  sent  by 
Mr  WILSON  of  New  York,  were  received  too  late  for  the  dinner,  in 
consequence  of  the  detention  of  the  steam  boat. 


21 

The  Hall  of  the  Exchange  was  literally  crowded  with  visitors,  from 
twelve  to  two.  It  was  much  regretted  by  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments that  a  larger  Hall  had  not  been  engaged  for  the  occasion. 

At  four  o'clock,  the  Society,  with  their  friends  and  invited  guests,  to 
the  number  of  nearly  100,  set  down  to  a  sumptuous  dinner,  prepared 
by  Messrs  Johnson  &  Castlehouse,  when  the  following  sentiments 
were  drunk. 

REGULAR  TOASTS. 

1.  Horticulture — That  rational  and  noble  art,  which  regales  and 
delights  nearly  all  the  senses  ;  which  nourishes  a  generous  gratitude 
to  the  author  of  all  blessings  ;  and  enables  man  to  create  a  new  Eden 
in  recompense  of  that  which  his  first  ancestor  forfeited. 

2.  Human  Skill  and  Enlightened  Cultivation — They  have  changed 
the  Crab  to  the  Newton  Pippin — the  austere  Mazzard  to  the  Tarta- 
rean and  Bigarreau — the  Hog  peach  to  the  Noblesse  and  Vanguard. 

3.  That  art  which  makes  all  climates  one — which  mocks  at  local 
distinctions,  and  makes  the  tropics  tributary  to  the  comforts  and 
luxuries  of  Hyperborean  regions — which  gives  even  to  Russia  the 
Pine  Apple  and  the  Mangostein. 

4.  Our  Native  Fruits — May  they  be   sought  out  with  care  and 
judicious  skill — one  Stckle  will  be  a  reward  for  ten  years  research. 
Nature  is  our  best  preceptress,  and  where  she  points  we  may  safely 
follow. 

5.  May  our  cultivators  be  distinguished  rather  by  their  deeds  than 
their  icords.     Select  cautiously,  but  cultivate  liberally.     A  good  fruit 
will  reward  labor. 

6.  Let  us  encourage  a  taste  for  Flowers.    God  gave  them  to  us  for 
our  delight,  and  it  is  an  omen  of  a  cultivated  age  to  encourage  them. 
They  are  the  best  apparel  of  the  best  part  of  human  nature. 

7.  The  Curator  of  the  Cambridge  Garden,  Thomas  Nuttall— modest 
and  unpretending — few  men  have  done  more  for  American  Botany 
than  he. 

8.  Agriculture  and  Horticulture — Allied  Divinities,  who  cause  the 
Desert  to  teem  with  abundance,  and  the   "  Wilderness  to  blossom  like 
the  Rose." 

9.  Gardening — In  all  its  degrees  and  diversities,  from  the  plat  of 
culinary  vegetables,  which  embosoms  the  cottage  of  economy,  to  the 
paradise  of  sweets  which  embowers  the  mansion  of  opulence. 

10.  The  Fair  Sex  and  Floriculture — 

While  many  a  Fair,  in  youth  and  beauty's  sheen, 
Presides  the  Flora  of  the  Sylvan  scene, 
Full  many  a  flower  shall  boast  its  cultivator, 
Herself  the  fairest,  finest  flower  in  nature. 

11.  Historical  Facts— GOD  made  the  first  Garden — Cain  built  the 
first  City. 

12.  The  Feast  of  Reason — Gop  made  a  world  of  good  things — and 
it  is  man's  duty,  as  well  as  his  privilege,  to  make  the  most  of  them. 

13.  The  Empire  of  Man — May  it  be  enlarged  by  fresh  acquisitions 
from  the  vegetable  kingdom.    Every  cultivated  plant  was  once  wild 
— may  every  wild  plant,  capable  of  being  rendered  useful,  be  culti- 


22 

vated,  till  not  a  fruit  or  a  flower  shall  dissipate  its  fragrance,  nor  "  waste 
its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

VOLUNTEERS. 

By  the  President,  Hon.  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn.  Intelligence  and 
Industry — the  only  conservators  of  the  Republic. 

By  the  Hon.  Thomas  L.  Winthrop.  The  Massachusetts  Horticul- 
tural Society — the  intelligence  and  zeal  manifested  in  its  infancy  are 
sure  presages  of  its  future  usefulness  and  prosperity. 

By  the  Hon.  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  Mayor  of  the  City.  The  standard 
principles  which  our  fathers  planted  in  the  old  garden  of  Massachu- 
setts— may  the  taste  and  fashion,  introduced  from  the  old  world,  come 
free  from  the  canker  worm  and  rot. 

From  several  gentlemen  invited  and  expected,  letters  were  received, 
expressing  their  respect  and  interest  in  regard  to  the  Society,  but 
declining  to  accept  the  invitation  to  attend  on  this  occasion.  Among 
these  were  Mr  LINCOLN,  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  J.  Q,.  ADAMS, 
Ex-President  of  the  United  States,  JOSEPH  STORY,  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  JOHN  LOWELL,  Esq.,  Sir  ISAAC 
COFFIN,  Commodore  MORRIS,  JOSIAH  QUINCY,  President  of  Harvard 
University,  BENJAMIN  GORHAM,  M.  D.  and  Gen.  WADSWORTH,  of 
New  York.  Judge  STORY  sent  the  following  sentiment : 

The  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  whose  excellence  is 
proved  by  the  best  of  maxims ;  "  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

Mr  LOWELL  transmitted  the  following : 

The  Horticultural  Society  of  Massachusetts — I  give  it  welcome,  as 
the  proper  means,  the  best  means,  the  only  means  of  concentrating  the 
individual  skill  of  our  excellent  and  intelligent  cultivators — may  its 
success  equal  my  hopes,  it  cannot  exceed  them. 

Sent  by  JACOB  LORRILLARD,  Esq.  President  of  the  New  York 
Horticultural  Society: 

Massachusetts — A  trunk  whose  distinguished  branches  produce  good 
fruits  in  every  state  of  the  Union. 

Transmitted  by  WM.  PRINCE,  Esq.  Vice  President  of  the  New 
York  Horticultural  Society,  and  a  generous  patron  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Horticultural  Society : — 

The  State  of  Massachusetts — First  in  achieving  the  independence  of 
our  country,  and  foremost  in  developing  the  independence  of  her  soil. 

Transmitted  by  WM.  ROBERT  PRINCE,  Esq.  of  the  New  York 
Horticultural  Society. 

The  spirit  of  Horticulture — Which  strews  our  paths  with  the  sweets 
of  Flora,  and  loads  our  tables  with  the  offerings  of  Pomona. 

By  Dr.  Bigelow,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Society.  In  allusion 
to  a  sentiment  expressed  by  the  President  in  his  Address. 

That  department  of  the  Horticulturist,  in  which  all  citizens  are 
interested,  the  Seminan/. 

By  Mr  Emmons,  Recording  Secretary.  Horticulture — The  first 
employment  of  man :  may  every  day's  experience  convince  him  that 
it  is  the  best. 

By  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  a  member  of  the  Society,  accompanied 
by  some  pertinent  introductory  remarks  upon  the  high  professional 


23 

character  and  useful  life  of  Mr  Lowell.  The  Hon.  JOHN  LOWELL — 
The  uniform  friend  of  all  sorts  of  rural  economy. 

By  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood.  The  cultivation  of  the  earth,  the  mind 
and  the  heart — May  they  advance  among  us  rapidly  and  simultaneously, 
till  our  whole  country  blooms  like  Eden. 

By  John  C.  Gray.  Esq.  3d  Vice  President.  The  art  of  Horticulture, 
which  furnishes  us  with  delicious  but  wholesome  luxuries,  and  with 
cheap  but  splendid  ornaments ;  may  it  never  want  encouragement  in 
a  Republican  and  economical  country. 

By  Enoch  Bartlett,  Esq.  3d  Vice  President.  Agriculture,  Horti- 
culture, and  all  other  culture  which  ameliorates  the  condition  of  man. 

By  a  generous  Patron  of  the  Society.  The  United  States — may 
their  portion  of  the  earth  never  be  "  subdued,"  but  by  the  musket 
turned  into  the  ploughshare,  and  the  sword  into  the  pruning  hook. 

By  H.  J.  Finn.  The  Heraldry  of  English  Horticulture.  Great 
Britain  may  be  proud  of  her  privilege  to  confer  titles  of  nobility,  but 
nature  bestowed  a  higher  honor  on  its  peerage,  when  she  created  a 
KNIGHT. 

By  Thomas  Green  Fessenden,  Esq.  Editor  of  the  New  England 
Farmer.  The  greatest  good  of  the  greatest  number.  The  whole  world 
a  garden,  hands  enough  to  cultivate  it,  and  mouths  enough  to  consume 
its  productions. 

By  a  Guest.  The  rising  generation  ;  may  these  tivigs  be  so  trained 
as  to  need  but  little  trimming,  become  valuable  standards,  produce 
fruits  worthy  &  premium,  and  receive  prizes  at  the  great  final  exhibi- 
tion. 

By  a  Guest.  THOMAS  A.  KNIGHT,  Esq.,  President  of  the  London 
Horticulturalx.Society;  the  Genius  and  Philanthropist  in  the  science  of 
Horticulture. 

By  Hon.  Oliver  Fisk  of  Worcester.  Horticulture,  the  best  substitute 
to  our  progenitors  for  their  loss  of  Paradise,  and  the  best  solace  to 
their  posterity  for  the  miseries  they  entailed. 

By  George  Kent,  Esq.  of  JV*.  H.  The  fruits  and  flowers  this  day 
exhibited.  A  splendid  exemplification  of  the  industry  and  enterprise 
of  the  intelligent  founders  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 
"If  such  things  are  done  in  the  green  tree,  what  will  be  done  in  the 

dry" 

By  a  Guest.  Horticulture — The  first  occupation  instituted  for  man : 
to  him  was  given  "  every  herb,  and  every  tree  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth." 

By  John  Prince,  Esq.  of  Salem.  The  wedding  we  this  day  celebrate, 
the  union  of  heart y  culture  and  horticulture.  May  the  pair  be  ever  held 
as  choice  as  the  apple  of  our  eye. 

By  the  Editor  of  the  Boston  Courier.    Hon.  DANIEL  WEBSTER — 
Men  are  the  growth  our  frozen  realms  supply, 
And  souls  are  ripened  in  our  northern  sky. 

By  D.  L.  Child,  Esq.  Editor  of  the  Massachusetts  Journal.  The 
Ladies — They  are  like  "  the  lilies  of  the  field,  which  toil  not,  neither 
spin ;  and  yet  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  as  one  of  these." 
No  wonder  then,  that  we  have  such  a  profuse  display  of  coxcombs  and 
marigolds. 


24 

By  the  same.  The  farmers  of  Massachusetts  ;  success  to  their  efforts 
to  extirpate  the  worst  enemy  of  their  mowing  lands,  the  Can-a-day 
thistle. 

By  J.  Thornton  Mams,  Esq.  Editor  of  the  Centind.  Agriculture 
and  Horticulture.  Fields  of  action  and  ambition  as  extensive  as  the 
soil  of  our  country. 

By  Nathan  Hale,  Esq.  Editor  of  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser.  Hor- 
ticulture— the  Art  by  which  nature  is  taught  to  improve  her  own 
production. 

By  Mr  Wihon  of  the  Neiv  York  Horticultural  Society.  The  State  of 
Massachusetts — the  love  of  liberty  is  an  indigenous  production  of  her 
soil.  Her  sons  led  the  van  in  cleaning  it  from  the  deleterious  brush 
of  tyrannical  oppression.  May  equal  success  attend  their  labors  in  the 
more  pleasant  and  delightful  departments  of  a  milder  species  of 
Horticulture. 

By  T.  Brewer,  Esq.  of  Roxbury.  Hon.  JOHN  LOWELL — The  Ma- 
csenas  of  New  England  Horticulture.  Himself  a  Patron,  and  his 
premises  a  Pattern  of  correct  and  scientific  cultivation. 

By  Benj.  F.  French,  Esq.  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements.  The 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society, — promising  in  its  infancy, — may 
its  fruits,  like  those  of  olden  time,  require  two  to  carry  a  bunch  of 
grapes  upon  a  staff. 

After  the  President  had  retired,  ZEBEDEE  COOK,  Jr.  Esq.  1st  Vice 
President,  gave — 

H.  A.  S.  DEARBORN,  President  of  the  Society— Under  his  auspices 
it  is  more  honorable  to  gather  garlands  in  the  garden  of  the  cultivator, 
than  to  win  laurels  in  the  field  of  the  conqueror. 

By  Santuel  Doioner,  Esq.  of  Dorchester.  Our  native  fruits — may 
they  continue  to  advance,  developing  their  excellent  qualities,  until, 
like  their  native  soil,  they  become  the  admiration  of  other  climes  and 
the  pride  of  our  own. 

By  a  Guest.  The  Queen  of  flowers,  the  LILT — which  (as  is  had  on 
the  best  authority)  eclipsed  the  glory  of  Solomon  in  his  imperial  pur- 
ple— "  for  he  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these." 

By  a  Guest.  Horticulture — the  science  which  teaches  man  to 
increase  by  diminishing  ;  a  profitable  barter  of  quantity  for  quality. 

By  Mr  J.  B.  Russell,  Publisher  of  the  Neic  England  Farmer.  The 
Long  Island  PRINCE  of  Horticulture — Entitled  by  his  science,  zeal  and 
activity  to  the  coronet  of  Flora,  a  badge  of  distinction  more  honorable 
than  the  crown  of  the  conqueror:  in  him  we  are  favored  with  an 
excellent  exception  to  the  ancient  adage,  " Put  no  trust  in  Princes" 

Sent  by  Mr  Grant  Thorburn  ofNeio  York.  The  city  of  Boston — its 
splendid  churches,  its  public  spirited  citizens,  and  its  magnificent  villas. 

By  Mr  E.  W.  Metcalf.  The  cultivation  of  the  earth,  and  the  "Art  of 
Printing  ;  the  sources  of  animal  life,  and  of  mental  improvement. 

By  Mr  Jeremiah  Fitch.  Our  country's  independence :  the  best  fruit 
its  soil  ever  produced. 

By  Mr  Rebello,  Charge  d1  Jlffairs  from  Brazil.  Mutual  transplanta- 
tions between  North  and  South  America— the  happiness  of  mankind  is 


based  on  the  liberal  exchange  of  respective  natural  products. 

By  Dr  Thacher,  of  Plymouth.  American  Farmers — who  increase 
the  capabilities  of  the  soil,  gather  the  honey,  and  shear  ihejlcece,  and 
reap  the  harvest  for  themselves  and  not  for  another. 


25 

By  the  same.  Mrs  MART  GRIFFITH,  the  scientific  Apiarian  of  New 
Brunswick. 

By  Capt.  Nicholson,  of  U.  S.  Navy.  Agriculture,  Horticulture  and 
Commerce — the  graces  of  civilization. 

The  following  Song,  written  jor  the  occasion  by  Mr  FINN,  of  tht 
Tremont  Theatre,  was  sung  by  him : 

"  Let  one  great  day, 

To  celebrated  sports  and  floral  play 

Be  set  aside." — PRIOR. 
This  is  our  Rome,  and  I 
A  Flamen  Pomonalis ; 
I'  11  prove  in  Men's  pursuits, 
Some  HORTICULTURAL  is  ; 
But  while  the  glass  goes  round, 
Let  not  a  sucker  stray,  Sirs  ; 
Transported  by  the  vine, 
'Twould  be  our  Botany  bay,  Sirs. 
The  Fmits  of  Horticulture, 
You  '11  find  in  every  shape,  Sirs, 
Our  sailors  stem  the  Currant, 
In  battle,/orce  the  Grape,  Sirs. 
King  George,  in  olden  Thyme, 
Could  not  with  .Srpear-inint  loyal, 
Compel  our  soldiers  Sage, 
To  pay  the  Penny-Royal. 
A  lawyer  in  his  books, 
Discovers  foliation, 
And  often  makes  his  bread 
By  a  Jioiver-y  oration ; 
The  Sportsman  likes  the  Turf 
To  train  his  cattle  jadish, 
If  he  buys  a  reddish  horse, 
He  's  sure  to  like  Horse-radish. 
Fairest  of  Eden's  flowers 
Was  Woman,  ere  farewell,  Sirs, 
She  bade  to  Eden's  fruit, 
The  fatal  Nonpareil,  Sirs. 
Here's  WOMAN  !  from  the  time 
Creation's  pencil  drew  lips, 
And  the  breathings  of  the  Rose, 
That  lives  upon  her  two-lips. 
And  when  at  Gretna  greens 
Young  ladies  wish  a  frolic, 
If  Pa  says  "  Can't-elope," 
Why  they'feel  JtfeZon-cholic ; 
Good  wives  the  Nursery  love, 
Their  tender  plants  to  feed,  Sirs, 
And  widows  wish,  sub-rosa, 
To  throw  aside  their  weeds,  Sirs. 
4 


26 

The  Gambler,  on  a  spade 

His  all  on  earth  will  stake,  Sirs  ; 

The  Drunkard  is  a  sieve, 

The  Libertine  's  a  rake,  Sirs  ; 

May  he  who — like  a  blight — 

The  Maiden's  peace  has  broke,  Sirs, 

A  hanging-Garden  see, 

And  feel  the  Art-to-choke,  Sirs. 

The  pretty  Gentleman, 

So  lady-like  and  lazy, 

Who  goes  to  Mari-gold, 

And  lisps  out  "  lauk  a  daisey" 

Of  Navarino  stock — 

A  nice  corsetted  scion, 

Among  the  Garden  stuff, 

He 's  dubb'd  a  Dande-lion. 

The  Spendthrift  ends  with  slugs, 

And  "  Verbum  sat "  's  a  hint,  Sirs — 

The  Miser  is  a  Snail, 

That  starves  upon  the  Mint,  Sirs  : 

You  may  Old  bachelors 

In  JSWer-berries  nab,  Sirs, 

Old  maids  they  say  are  Medlars 

Grafted  on  the  Crab,  Sirs. 

We  '11  toast  the  kitchen  garden, 

The  Dishes  all  and  each,  Sirs, 

It  would  our  taste  im-pair, 

Their  goodness  to  im-peach,  Sirs  ; 

And  may  we  never  want 

The  means  such  limbs  to  lop,  Sirs, 

And  always  have  good  grounds, 

To  gather  a  full  Crop,  Sirs, 

My  lines  I  must  re-trench, 

They  better  things  impede,  Sirs, 

And  as  my  song  's  sow,  sow, 

Perhaps  you  may  see  seed,  Sirs ; 

I  'm  certain,  with  your  Leaves, 

If  doggrels  thus  should  trick  us 

Out  of  our  good  wine, — 

Each  would  be  Hortus  siccua. 

Then  may  Life's  evening  sun, 

In  setting  be  serene,  Sirs  ; 

Time  well  employ'd — in  Age 

Will  make  us  evergreen,  Sirs : 

And  when  the  pruning-knife — 

From  feather,  or  from  Cot-bed — 

Transplants  us  to  the  soil, 

May  we  escape  a  HOT-BED. 


27 

NAMES  OP  MEMBERS 

ADMITTED  SINCE  THE  PUBLICATION  OP  THE  CONSTITUTION  AND  BY- 
LAWS OP  THE  SOCIETY,  AUGUST,  1829. 

DANIEL  WEBSTER,  Boston. 

JOHN  B.  DAVIS, 

JEREMIAH  FITCH,        « 

EBENEZER  ROLLINS  " 

E.  P.  HARTSHORN,       « 

CALVIN  WHITING,       « 

JAMES  READ,  " 

NATHANIEL  BALCH,  " 

BENJAMIN  GIBBS,         " 

AARON  D.  WILD,  JR.,  « 

JOHN  DERBY,  Salem. 

SAMUEL  WALKER,  Rotbury. 

JOHN  PARKINSON,       « 

JOHN  HEATH,  « 

EBENEZER  CRAFTS,   " 

RICHARD  WARD,         « 

EDMUND  M'CARTHY,  Brighton. 

NATH'L  RICHARDSON,  M.  D.  South  Reading. 

FERDINAND  ANDREWS,  Lancaster. 

JOSEPH  WILLARD, 

JOHN  SPRINGER,  Sterling. 

JOSEPH  W.  NEWELL,  Maiden. 

ISAAC  MEAD,  Charlestoion. 

WILLIAM  KURD,  « 

AMOS  ATKINSON,  Brookline. 

WILLIAM  P.  ENDICOTT,  Danvers. 

EDWARD  M.  RICHARDS,  Dedham. 

LEONARD  STONE,  Watertown. 

WILLIAM  COTTING,  West  Cambridge. 

NATHAN  WEBSTER,  Haverhill. 

J.  B.  FRANCIS,  Warwick,  R.  I. 

STEPHEN  H.  SMITH,  Providence,  R.  1. 


CORRESPONDING  MEMBERS. 

ABRAHAM  HALSEY,  ESQ.  of  New  York,  Corresponding  Secretary 

of  the  New  York  Horticultural  Society. 
GEORGE  C.  THORBURN,  Esq.  New  York. 


The  name  of  BENJAMIN  ABBOTT,  LL.  D.  Principal  of  PHIL- 
LIPS' EXETER  ACADEMY,  (admitted  an  Honorary  Member  of  the 
Society,  at  a  special  meeting  held  on  the  27th  of  June  last)  was  acci- 
dentally omitted  in  the  publication  of  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws. 


28 


TRANSACTIONS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 

THE  following  papers  have  been  read  before  the  Society,'  at 
different  meetings,  and  have  been  published  in  the  New  England 
Farmer,  as  mentioned  below  : — 

1.  "  On  engrafting  the  European  Sweet  Water  Grape  on  American 

Stocks."  By  JOHN  PRINCE,  Esq.  and  Gen.  W.  R.  ARMISTEAD. 
New  England  Farmer,  vol.  vii.  page  329. 

2.  "On the  Cultivation  of  Squashes  and  Melons,  and  the  Extirpation 
of  Insects  from  Vines."      By  J.  M.  GOURGAS,  Esq.  Weston. 
Ibid.  vol.  vii.  page  345. 

3.  "  Schedule  of  Fruit  Trees,  of  fifty  two  choice  varieties,  presented 

to  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  by  the  Proprietors  of 
the  Linnsean  Garden,  near  New  York,  April,  1829.  By  WILLIAM 
PRINCE  ;  with  Descriptive  Remarks."  Ibid.  vol.  vii.  page  385, 
and  vol.  viii.  page  18. 

4.  "  Description  of  the  Capiaumont  Pear,  with  a  Drawing."    By  S. 
DOWNER.    Ibid.  vol.  vii.  page  409. 

5.  "  On  the  Culture  of  the    Strawberry."     By  the  Hon.  H.  A.  S. 

DEARBORN,  (President.)    Ibid.  vol.  viii.  page  9,  22. 

6.  "  On  the  Treatment  of  Bees  ;  and  Observations  on  the  Curculio." 
By  MART  GRIFFITH,  Neiv  Jersey.     Ibid.  vol.  viii.  page  17. 

7.  "  Description  of  a  Native  Seedling  Pear,  in  Dorchester,  with  a 

Drawing."     By  S.  DOWNER.     Ibid.  vol.  viii.  page  51. 

8.  "  On  the  Culture  of  the  Sweet  Potato,  and  Description  of  differ- 

ent varieties."    By  Hon.  JOHN  LOWELL.    Ibid.  vol.  viii.  page  G5. 

9.  "  Description  of  the  Gushing  Pear,  with  a  Drawing."     By  S. 

DOWNER,  and  B.  THOMAS,  Esq'rs.    Ibid.  vol.  viii.  page  113. 

10.  "  On  Budding  or  Inoculating  Fruit  Trees."    By  LEVI  BARTLETT 
t  Warner,  JV*.  H.    Ibid.  vol.  viii,  page  114. 

11.  "  Notes  and  Observations  on  the  Vine."    By  WM.  KENRICK. 

Rid.  vol.  viii.  page  129. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  New  England  Farmer  contains 
a  weekly  Report  and  description  of  the  new  Fruits  left  at  the 
Society's  Hall,  No.  52,  North  Market  street,  for  examination. 


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